Slit-array transmission loss feasibility in airborne sound

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential of slit-array structures to enhance transmission loss in airborne sound, inspired by ultrasonic water experiments, and predicts conditions under which they outperform homogeneous plates.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using slit arrays for airborne sound transmission loss and analyzes their effectiveness through numerical simulations.

Findings

Slit arrays can significantly increase transmission loss compared to homogeneous plates.

Low impedance mismatch enhances the effectiveness of slit arrays.

Numerical results show conditions where slit arrays outperform homogeneous plates.

Abstract

Recent experiments conducted in water at ultrasonic frequencies showed the possibility of overcoming the transmission loss provided by homogeneous plates at certain frequencies by drilling periodically distributed holes on it. In this letter, the feasibility of using slit arrays to increase the transmission loss at certain frequencies for airborne sound is studied. Numerical results predict a) very low transmission loss for a slit array in comparison with a homogeneous plate in air and b) the transmission loss of a slit array can overcome that of a homogeneous plate if the impedance mismatch is low enough.